Respect Matters Teaching Script

1. Introduction & Definition (5 minutes)

Teacher (to whole class):
“Good morning, everyone! Welcome to our lesson called Respect Matters. Today, we’re going to explore what respect means, why it’s so important, and how we can show respect every day. By the end of our 35 minutes together, you’ll have some new ideas for treating others—and yourselves—with kindness and consideration.

[Show Slide 1: Respect Matters]
“Here’s our agenda: we’ll start by defining respect, then read a short passage, do a scenario activity, play a quick game, and finish with a short quiz and reflection. Let’s jump right in.

[Show Slide 3: Defining Respect]
“First, let’s talk about what ‘respect’ means. On the slide you can see a definition: Respect means treating others with kindness, consideration, and valuing their feelings, rights, and opinions.

Question to Class: “What does respect mean to you? Who wants to share in one sentence?”

Wait for 2–3 volunteers.
Follow-up Prompt: “Great—thank you! Can someone add on or give a quick example of that?”
Capture answers on the board: e.g., ‘listening when someone talks,’ ‘using polite words,’ ‘accepting differences.’

2. Reading & Guided Discussion (10 minutes)

Teacher:
“Now we’ll dive into a short reading called Respectful Interactions Reading. This will help us see respect in action.

1. “Please take the handout and read silently for 3 minutes. Look for any examples of respectful behavior.”
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. “Turn to your partner and discuss the examples you noticed. Take 2 minutes.”
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. “Okay, let’s come back together. Who can share one example of respect you found in the reading?”

Call on 2–3 pairs.
Follow-up Questions:

• “Why do you think that action shows respect?”
• “How would you feel if someone did that for you?”

3. Scenario-Based Worksheet Activity (8 minutes)

Teacher:
“Next, we’re going to practice identifying respect and finding ways to improve disrespectful scenes. Here’s the Respectful Scenarios Worksheet.”

1. “Work with your partner. Read each scenario and circle whether it’s Respect or Disrespect. Then, for any disrespectful example, write one way to make it respectful.”
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. “You have 6 minutes. I’ll walk around if you have any questions.”

After 6 minutes:
“Let’s hear from two pairs. Please share one disrespectful scenario and your respectful revision.”

Call on two pairs to share.
Prompt for sharing pairs: “Thanks! How might someone feel in that improved scenario?”

4. Respect Relay Game (7 minutes)

Teacher:
“It’s game time! We’ll play the Respect Relay using our Respect Relay Game Materials. Here’s how it works:”

1. “I’ll divide you into teams of 4.”
2. “Each team will draw a scenario card.”
3. “On ‘go,’ the first player reads or acts out a respectful response. Your team discusses and checks that it shows respect.”
4. “When you agree, tag the next teammate. Keep going until all cards are done.”
5. “First team to correctly demonstrate respectful solutions for all scenarios wins!”

Divide class and distribute cards.
“Ready? Go!”
Circulate, cheer on teams, and clarify if a scenario isn’t clearly respectful.
“Nice work, Team Blue! Remember, respect means valuing others’ feelings and rights.”

Announce winner and congratulate all teams.

5. Quiz & Reflection (5 minutes)

Teacher:
“Time for a quick check with the Respect Matters Quiz. Please complete it on your own in the next 4 minutes. I’ll be here to help if you get stuck.”

After 4 minutes:
“Please put your pencils down. Now, think about this question: ‘How will you show respect at school and at home?’”

Invite 2–3 volunteers to respond.
Responses might include: “Listening without interrupting,” “Helping a sibling,” “Using polite words.”

“Those are wonderful ideas. Remember, respect is a choice we make every day—both here in class and beyond.

Closing:
“Thank you all for your great participation! Let’s keep practicing respect in everything we do. Have a fantastic rest of your day!”

End of Respect Matters Teaching Script

Respectful Interactions

Every day at Lincoln Middle School, students and teachers show respect in many small but powerful ways. One morning, Maya noticed her classmate Jamal drop all of his books in the hallway. Without hesitation, Maya stopped and helped Jamal pick up each book, even though she was running late for class. When she returned Jamal’s favorite graphic novel, he smiled and thanked her. That simple act of kindness made both Maya and Jamal feel valued and supported.

In Mrs. Chen’s science class, respectful interaction happens when students listen without interrupting. During a lab discussion, Diego raised his hand and waited patiently for Mrs. Chen to call on him. After he shared his idea, other students whispered their agreement instead of talking loudly over him. By taking turns and using polite words—like “please” and “thank you”—the class created a calm learning space where everyone felt comfortable speaking up.

Respect isn’t limited to school. At the park after soccer practice, Coach Rivera organized a clean-up circle. When she noticed several players leaving trash behind, she reminded the team that caring for community spaces is a way to show respect for neighbors and the environment. The players picked up wrappers and tossed them in the bin, then high-fived each other for doing the right thing. In that moment, respect grew stronger because everyone contributed to making their neighborhood cleaner and safer.

As you read these examples, ask yourself:
• How did each person show respect?
• How did it make others feel?
• What can you do today to show respect in your school or community?

Respectful Scenarios Worksheet

Instructions:
Read each scenario below. For each one:
• Circle whether it shows Respect or Disrespect.
• If you circled Disrespect, write one way to make the scenario respectful.

1. Alex interrupts Sara while she’s speaking by talking over her.

Circle one: Respect  Disrespect

If Disrespectful, suggest how to make it respectful:

1. Jordan picks up pencils that fell on the floor and quietly returns them to the supply tray.

Circle one: Respect  Disrespect

If Disrespectful, suggest how to make it respectful:

1. Emily laughs at a classmate’s art project and makes a teasing comment.

Circle one: Respect  Disrespect

If Disrespectful, suggest how to make it respectful:

1. Rafael raises his hand and waits patiently for the teacher to call on him.

Circle one: Respect  Disrespect

If Disrespectful, suggest how to make it respectful:

1. Tyler drops a candy wrapper on the ground instead of throwing it in the trash can.

Circle one: Respect  Disrespect

If Disrespectful, suggest how to make it respectful:

1. Ava compliments a peer on their group presentation and says “thank you” for their help.

Circle one: Respect  Disrespect

If Disrespectful, suggest how to make it respectful:

Remember: Respect is shown through our words, actions, and how we treat others’ feelings and property.

Respect Relay Game Materials

Materials Needed:

• Index cards or cardstock with printed scenario prompts (see Scenario Cards below)
• A container or bucket to hold face-down cards
• Timer or stopwatch
• Scoreboard or chart paper and markers
• Pens or pencils for teams to jot quick notes (optional)

Scenario Cards (6 Cards)

Print each of the following on a separate card:

1. Alex interrupts Sara while she’s speaking by talking over her.
2. Jordan picks up pencils that fell on the floor and quietly returns them to the supply tray.
3. Emily laughs at a classmate’s art project and makes a teasing comment.
4. Rafael raises his hand and waits patiently for the teacher to call on him.
5. Tyler drops a candy wrapper on the ground instead of throwing it in the trash can.
6. Ava compliments a peer on their group presentation and says “thank you” for their help.

Setup Instructions:

1. Shuffle all Scenario Cards and place them face-down in the container.
2. Divide the class into teams of 4.
3. Assign each team a row on the Scoreboard.

Game Play:

• On “Go,” the first player draws a card, reads the scenario aloud, and (in 30 seconds) either acts out or describes a respectful response.
• The team discusses quickly to confirm that the response shows respect.
• If the team agrees, award 1 point, and the next player takes a turn.
• Continue until every team member has responded to one card.
• Team with the most points (or the first to finish all cards correctly) wins!